TPRS Motivational Workshop - Ector County Independent School

TPRS Motivational Workshop
TPRS motivational workshop on Februrary 25, 2014, featured Hip Hop Artist
Zeeda Veal. Zeeda was raised in the Fisher housing projects of New Orleans,
Louisiana. As a child, she faced very hard circumstances including the violent
murder of her father. By age 16, Zeeda
was pregnant and dropped out of high
school. Zeeda is determined to help
young women. Zeeda was an
exceptional motivational speaker
touching the lives of the students and
staff who attended.
“Children are likely to live up what you believe of them.”
Lady Bird Johnson, former U.S. first lady
Our motivational workshop on February 25,
was so inspirational not only to our
students but to the staff as well. Melvin
(former Globetrotter) and Zeeda Veal were
just what we needed. Zeeda had
requested a special session just to speak to
our young teen mothers. Zeeda “does not
want any young woman to settle for the
hand they believe life has given them.”
Everyone has a story as our speakers
pointed out but it is up to us as to what we
do with that story. Are we going to be a
victim or are we going to be someone who
finds the support needed to make our
future story the best one we possibly
can. “Nobody can make you feel inferior
without your permission.”- Eleanor
Roosevelt
Rose Valderaz
Zeeda and Melvin used very vivid examples when speaking to our students. Everything
was relevant and the students had a chance to speak to the speakers directly and ask
questions. We also had some students pour their hearts out. It was truly a special time
that made our girls bond with the speakers, with each other, as well as with our staff.
I want to thank Diane Mata with the AVID program for giving us this opportunity. I
cannot thank the home campus and our administration enough for their support.
In our program we strive to remove any barriers the students have to reaching their
goals of success with their academics as well as learning to be the best parents they can
be. Thank you students and grandparents for your support and together we will have
many graduates and on to college.
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.”
- Napoleon Hill
"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement,
nothing can be done without hope and
confidence." -- Helen Keller
Congratulations to the OHS TPRS students for winning first place
in the “College Door Decorating” contest at Odessa High School.
TPRS students, led by Selena Rodriguez, decorated the door to
the theme of “College: The Ship to a Better Future.” Out of over
100 doors decorated, the TPRS door won first place!
Congratulations to Selena and her team!
Becoming a teen parent can
truly be one of the most
difficult challenges that can
ever be faced. My senior year
at Permian High has made me
realize that even the hardest
challenges can be faced and
met. My name is Kazumi
Burciaga and this is my story.
So far I have been able to
handle my AP/GT classes,
National Honors Society, Texas
Scholars, and especially my
CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant)
class. I wasn’t much of a
teacher’s pet in
school at all, but I have come to grow robust relationships with
my counselor from the TPRS program Dr. T. Caro, Specialist Mrs.
Calzada, and former TPRS counselor Heather Krumbholz. These
extravagant women have helped me academically and
emotionally. Because of them, I realized how important it is to
become successful, not only for me, but for my now one-yearold daughter Aaliyah. Despite the fact that I wasn’t close to my
teachers, I’d love to thank them for supporting me with tutoring
and understanding my circumstances of being a teen mom.
Had they not given me chances to turn in paper work late,
I would most likely be a complete failure! So far I have all
A’s in all my classes. I have been all about academics and
getting into a good college before and after becoming a
teen parent. I literally told myself, “Kazumi, you have to
step up your game!”
Church has become a part of me since I got
pregnant. Like any other teenager, I felt like the world was
collapsing around me. Doubt, fear, and anger
overwhelmed me once I found out I was pregnant. After a
week, my goal became to be the best parent possible and
provide my child with everything she needs because
nothing is easy. With faith, hope, and patience, I managed
to overcome these negative feelings and became
determined to strive for excellence. My brother Jaime is
the only one in my family that has gone to college and
actually graduated and I want to make him and my parents
proud by attending college and become a successful
independent parent. My brother Eric became a teen
parent as well and managed to graduate high school the
hard way since he was a lazy bum and had no shame in his
game, but now he has an amazing job without going to
college and that’s good enough,
but I am proud of both of my brothers for encouraging me to finish
school and work hard in the real world. My mom will always be the
inspiration of me wanting to be the person I’m planning to be. My
mother has taught me life lessons, she has taught me respect,
discipline, and love. Making my mother and daughter proud is all
that really matters to me in life besides making myself proud. My
friends from church Jessica and Ernest Soto have helped me so
much by giving me the hope that there can be a positive future for
me, despite the harsh obstacles ahead. I thank God for giving me all
these important people in my life and I wouldn’t change anything
about it.
Once high school is done with, I plan on attending UTPB
to get my Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and later attend grad school to
receive a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. Saying something is
always easier than doing it, but if you are determined and
passionate about what you want in life, then you can achieve it. I’m
honestly not intending to be rude, but once an individual becomes
a parent, the world cannot revolve around themselves anymore.
Becoming a teen parent is a whole new world of challenges and
obstacles and I encourage those teen moms and dads to work hard
and provide the best for their child. Trust me, it will all pay off once
their children thank them for giving them the best future possible. I
want to make Aaliyah proud that I went through tough woods just
to give her a better life because I love her.
Parents, if you love your child, and ache for their
happiness, then there really shouldn’t be an excuse as to
why you are not trying your greatest. Simple as that. So
definitely finish high school and strive away because where
there is a will, there is a way.
Elaine Ovalle
giving special
instructions on
caring for her
child at ECISD
Child Care Center.
Nora Medina working on her
FASFA…one of TPRS
graduating seniors.